Oil Recommenation

[WillJ]

Hi,

I know I’m asking the question that is always asked, but i genuinely can’t find it in the forum.

What is the best oil for an 80k mile, 3.2. Also mineral vs synthetic - what’s the difference? Mine has synthetic in currently but don’t know why I would change it.

Porsche recommend a 10w 60 I think but others say it’s not ideal in a cool climate.

All suggestions welcome - ideally please explain why too!!

 

[fxm911]

What oil to use is always like opening a can of worm as you will get hundreds of different views but here goes for my take on it...
Personally think that a 10w60 for this type of engine is too thin an oil and would no put anything less than a 15w..
I have been running Valvoline VR1 20w50 mineral in my SC (having run Mobil1 for years prior to that) and must say really pleased with it (also run it in some of my other more race orientated cars...)
The good thing about the VR1 is that it is a mineral oil and has good zinc and phosphorus content which is really key for our older engines. Being a 20w it takes a little longer to warm up of course, so need to wait a little more before getting hard on the loud pedal but engine runs cooler, doesnt burn oil and not a drip of the floor (which you may end up finding if you use a thiner oil).

 

[911hillclimber]

Just my 2 pence, no more.
Have had my 3.2 engine in my '73T for 30 years. Was 60K miles old then, now 140.000 miles old now.
Never been apart from the factory build.
The car was hillclimbed hard for 14 years before I changed the car for something far faster, and the 911 became road use only.
I've had the car since 1988.

The late Bob Watson (renowned Porsche specialist) in 1995 told me to use Shell Helix (as it is now called) 10/40 semi synthetic HX-7, and this 3.2 has had only that oil in it every 12 month oil change no matter the miles covered.
In my experience Mobil one is great at searching out leak points on these engines, so dropped that within 3 months of it going in....

You never actually know if one oil is better than another, but if the engine stays together for a long time then the oil used can't be too bad.
I think regular changes is a key to engine wear / longevity. (filter too of course).

Long standing friend of mine swears by VR1, but has the same oil change every 12 months routine.
He has run 2 early 911 cars for 35 years, same as me.